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Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Under-18 team coach Alan Mandeya expressed satisfaction with their campaign at the ongoing International Handball Federation Challenge Trophy Zone VI after the hosts burst into the semi-finals.
Zimbabwe beat Malawi 55-23 to claim their third straight win in Group A at Sunrise Sports Club in Harare yesterday.
The victory saw the hosts concluding the group games without a defeat and occupying the top spot.
Mandeya said they had a slow start to the regional tournament but his side has been improving by each game.
“The team’s performance was great. When we started the first game it was a bit low. I don’t know what was happening with the team but coming into our second game we were really strong.
“And today in the first half we were showing how powerful we are.
“Of course, towards the end of today’s game, I think the boys were feeling that they have already won the match, they just went down in the last minutes of the game.
“However, we are not going to allow this and we are going to talk to them and find out what was the problem and what was happening to them.
“But overall, we have picked our game and we want to keep the tempo,” said Mandeya.
As they prepare for their next game, Mandeya is aware of the challenge ahead.
“Our next match we are going to face another challenge which we are now going to focus on.
“Then we want to make sure that we are going to correct our mistakes because now it’s a matter of life and death. It’s now like we are going to play knock-out stag . . . if you lose you are out of the tournament.”
Zimbabwe made their intentions clear from the onset dominating most of the time and utilising their chances to take a 26-7 lead by half time.
Malawi had their moments as they created scoring opportunities but were found wanting on several occasions.
Some of the players that had a good day on the court yesterday included captain Tanatswa Mapolisa, who made an impact both in defence and attack.
“The game was really good. We played a good game . . . Malawi was attacking better they were even defending well but today we won because we are a united team. We work as a team.
“Teamwork is our strength . . . that is how we keep on winning. That’s why we won three consecutive games,” Mapolisa said.
Malawi’s coach Precious Mbemba said they did their best.
“The match had its challenges but I can applaud the boys, they did their best, just that we had some injuries here and there.
“We have played this one, we have been beaten but we hope to be back in the next match. We will equip the boys, we will tighten the loose ends so that we have a win in the next match,” said Mbemba.
Zimbabwe beat Lesotho 37-15 in their opening match on Monday.
They then defeated South Africa 43-15 on Tuesday. Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Namibia were battling it out in Group B.
The semi-final matches are scheduled for tomorrow.
Online Reporter